Lesbian and Gay Band to play at inaugural

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Musicians from the Lesbian and Gay Band Association, which draws members from across the nation, are headed to the nation’s capital this month where they’ll perform in President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade. In the thick of the organizational details is Adam DeRosa of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a French horn player and the national group’s president.

Among the things he and other leaders of the group, including eight folks from South Florida, have to worry about: accommodations in the Washington area and rehearsal space -- and now to get a group of 250 musicians to gel when they haven’t been practicing together.

They do know what they’re performing since the Presidential Inaugural Committee required an advance list of the songs. The numbers are Rapper Pitbull’s song “Give Me Everything (Tonight),” Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory,” and a mashup of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Simple Gifts,” a Shaker tune adapted by folk musicians. Pitbull, a Cuban-American rap artist, appeared in Hollywood two days before the election at Obama’s final Florida campaign rally.

When the gay and lesbian band marches past Barack Obama, it will perform Leonard Bernstein’s “Tonight” from the musical “West Side Story.”

Though Obama officially begins his second term on Jan. 20, that’s a Sunday, so inaugural festivities will take place the next day.

The Lesbian and Gay Band Association also appeared in Obama’s 2009 inaugural parade and DeRosa said the band was committed to applying to appear in the 2013 parade regardless of the election results. As of Wednesday, the inaugural committee reported 42 groups are appearing in the parade, out of more than 2,800 applicants, and that more are being invited so all 50 states are represented.